What are Limestone County Public Records?
According to the Alabama Open Records Act, Limestone County public records include any documentation produced, retained, or used by government agencies to conduct local government business. Public records may exist as books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, discs, audio or video recordings, and software. However, not all government records are public. Some records may be sealed by a court or classified by statute and exempt from public access. Examples of such records include the following:
- Records of a personal nature where public disclosure would lead to a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Test questions, scoring keys, and other examinations data that are used to conduct academic, employment, or licensing tests. These remain confidential till the test has been given or if it is to be given repeatedly.
- Records containing preliminary recommendations, and preliminary memoranda in which opinions are expressed or policies formulated or recommended.
- Records confidentially disclosed to an agency and compiled and maintained for scientific research.
- Public records which disclose an agency's internal examining, audit criteria, and related analytical methods that were developed in conjunction with the regulation or supervision of financial institutions.
Public city records may also be accessible from third-party websites. Record seekers may use these non-governmental platforms to search for a specific document or multiple city records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The name of the subject involved in the record (not juvenile)
- The last known or current address of the registrant.
Note: Government agencies do not sponsor third-party sites. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Limestone County Crime Statistics
The Limestone County Sheriff's Office is in charge of collecting local crime data and statistics. These figures are then passed on to the FBI and added to the nationwide Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database. According to UCR data for 2016 and 2017, there was a general increase in crime in the county. Cases of murder, robbery, assault, property crime, burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft rose by 200%, 11.1%, 39%, 22.4%, 40.6%, 14.9%, and 32.3%, respectively. In contrast, cases of rape reduced by 3.5%. Overall violent crime in the city also increased by 28.3%.
Are Limestone County's Criminal Records Public?
Although criminal records in Alabama are considered public records, some may be exempted from public access by being sealed by a court exempt by statute. Residents who need a background check can obtain one by contacting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency(ALEA).
Employers may subscribe to the Alabama Background Check System, which permits qualifying employers to access current and comprehensive records for prospective and current employees.
Residents may request a background check by filling and submitting the ALEA Application to Review Alabama Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) in person or by mail. The requester should include in the mailed request or show in person a copy of current photo identification, a recent fingerprint card, and the appropriate fees. The fee for the background check is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously.
How to Obtain Police Reports and Arrest Records
Members of the public can obtain police reports and other law enforcement records for Limestone County from the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. Requests may find information about obtaining these records by contacting the sheriff's office using the following contact details:
Physical Address:
101 West Elm Street
Athens, AL 35611
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 889
Athens, AL 35614
Phone: (256) 232-0111
Email: info@limestonesheriff.com
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Limestone County
Interested parties can obtain sex offender information for Limestone County using the Alabama Sex Offender Registry operated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. County residents and non-residents can search for offenders in their area by name, city, compliance, and internet history, and email. Residents can also register on the website to receive newsletters and alerts when sex offenders move around the state.
How to Find Limestone County Inmate Records
Inmate information for inmates held in Limestone County Jail can be obtained using the Inmate Search located on the county sheriff's website. The inmate search lists all current inmates in the facility in alphabetical order. It also allows users to search for inmates by name, race, sex, arrest date, release date, and arresting agency. Inmate information available on the website includes names, race, mugshots, physical descriptions, bond, and current charges.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Limestone County City Jail?
Inmates from Limestone County are usually detained at the Limestone County Jail facility located at:
28779 Nick Davis Rd
Harvest, AL 35749
Phone: (256) 233-4600
For visitation information and schedules, prospective visitors may call the facility directly or the Limestone County Sheriff's Office at (256) 232-0111.
Court Records
Residents may acquire court records for Limestone County from the Circuit Court Clerk for the 39th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama. The circuit court provides access to various court records and information, including civil and criminal court cases. Requesters can also look up documents using the Alabama State Court Trial Records online database.
Locations of Courts in Limestone County
The names, locations, and contact details of the courts in Limestone County are listed below:
Limestone County Circuit Court
Limestone County Courthouse
200 W Washington St, Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-6406
Fax: (256) 232-0764
Limestone County District Court
Limestone County Courthouse
200 W Washington St, Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-6406
Fax: (256) 232-0764
Limestone County Probate Court
Clinton Street Courthouse Annex
100 S Clinton St, Suite D, Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-6427
Fax: (256) 233-6474
Ardmore Municipal Court
26494 1st Street, Ardmore, AL 35739
Phone: (256) 423-3011
Athens Municipal Court
951 E Hobbs St, Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-8733
Fax: (256) 233-6889
Are Limestone County Court Records Public?
According to Alabama's public record laws, court records are generally considered public records unless it is specifically stated that the document is exempt or sealed. Records exempt by a statute or sealed by court order are confidential and excluded from public view.
Can You Look Up a Limestone County Court Case Online?
Court records for Limestone County can be accessed online using the "Just One Look" Alabama State Trial Records on-demand access portal. Requesters will be required to register for an account on the online database and pay the associated fees for searches, downloading, or printing records from the service. Requesters should note that sealed or confidential records will not appear in any case searches performed using the database.
How to Obtain Limestone County Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties can obtain civil Court records for Limestone County by contacting the circuit clerk of the county judicial circuit court at:
Limestone County Courthouse
200 West Washington Street
1st Floor
Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-6406
Fax: (256) 232-0764
Written requests must contain specific information such as case numbers to help locate the record. Fees for copies are $0.50 per page. Users can also access documents from the computer terminals in the clerk's office lobby. Printing copies from these terminals in person will cost $0.10 per page.
Requesters may use the public terminals to locate case information such as parties to the case and case numbers. Residents can also obtain civil records online from the Alabama Trial Court Records Online Database.
How to Obtain Limestone County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records from the Limestone County Circuit court clerk can be obtained, in person, by mail, or online. Requesters may come in person to or submit a written request by mail to the office at:
Limestone County Courthouse
200 West Washington Street
1st Floor
Athens, AL 35611
Phone: (256) 233-6406
Fax: (256) 232-0764
Copies of the record will cost the requester $0.50 per page. Requesters may use the public computer terminals provided in the clerk's office lobby to locate or print copies of a court record. Printing in-person from the terminals in the lobby will cost $0.10 per copy.
The public terminals can also be used to find information such as case numbers which can be passed on to the clerk to locate a record. If the clerk's office cannot locate the document, applicants may write a written request for a named search for the record. This extensive search in the archives for the record will cost an advance payment of $30 per name. The Alabama Trial Court Record Online Portal may also be used to look up and obtain criminal court records online.
What are Limestone County Vital Records?
Limestone County vital records are records of the life events which have been recorded by the county's government entities. They include birth, marriage, divorce, and death records. These records can be obtained from their custodians at the Limestone County branch of the Alabama Department of Public Health. According to Alabama State public records laws, not all vital records are public records. Birth and death records, for example, only become public after some time.
Where and How to Obtain Limestone County Divorce Records
Eligible parties can obtain divorce records for Limestone County from the Limestone County Health Department. As divorce records in Alabama are unrestricted, they can be obtained by any member of the public who can provide enough information for staff to locate it. The records can be acquired by mail or in person. To obtain the record by mail, the requester must download and fill the divorce section of the mail-in application available in English or Spanish. The application and the appropriate fees should be mailed to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
To request a record in person, interested parties will need to physically visit the Limestone County Health Department and submit the application. A divorce record will cost a non-refundable search fee of $15 which will include one certified copy of the record. Any extra copies ordered at the same time will cost $6 each. Payment can be made in a check or money order made payable to the State Board of Health.
If the record is unavailable, a certificate of failure to find will be issued instead. Eligible parties can also make requests by submitting a written application containing the following information:
- Full names before the first marriage of both spouses
- Date of divorce
- County where the divorce was granted
- Requester's name and signature
- Address where the certificate is to be mailed
- Requester's daytime phone number
In-person requests are usually completed "while you wait," while mailed requests are delivered within 7 to 10 days.
Where and How to Get Marriage Records in Limestone County
Marriage records for Limestone County can be obtained in person from the Limestone County Department of Health or by mail from the Alabama Department of Health. Marriage records in Alabama are considered public records and can be obtained by anyone who can provide enough information for health department staff to find it. To obtain the marriage record, requesters will need to submit a written request containing the following details and pay the appropriate fees:
- Full names of both spouses before the first marriage (including maiden names)
- Date of marriage
- County where the marriage license was issued
- Name and signature of the requester
- Address where the certificate is to be mailed
- A daytime phone number for the requester
Requesters may also download a copy of the mail-in certificate application form which is available in English and Spanish. The complete form and fees for any copies should be mailed to the Department of Health at:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
In-person requests are usually completed in 30 minutes at the county health department, while mailed requests take 7 to 10 days.
Where and How to Find Limestone County Birth Records
Eligible parties can obtain birth Records for Limestone County from either the Limestone County Department of Health or the Alabama Department of Health. Birth records are restricted in Alabama and only become public records 125 years after birth. Until then, only the following persons may access the record after paying the fees and showing current identification:
- The person named on the certificate
- Mother, father, or legal guardian of the person named on the certificate
- Husband or wife of the person named on the certificate
- Siblings or children of the person named on the certificate
- A legal representative of an authorized person
Requesters will be required to show identification from the approved required identification list to request the birth record.
Obtaining Copies of Limestone County Birth Certificates
Residents can obtain birth certificates for Limestone county by going in person to the County Health Department and supplying as much of the following information:
- Full name of the person at birth
- Date of birth
- Sex
- County or city of birth
- Hospital of birth
- Full name of mother/parent before first marriage
- Full name of father/parent before first marriage
- The name and signature of the requester
- Your relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting
- An address where the certificate is to be mailed
- The requesters daytime phone number
The information can be verbally or submitted in a written request at the county health department along with the fees. Requesters may request the record by mailing an English, or Spanish vital records certificate application with the birth section filled out and the payment to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
Requesters are required to show one form of primary identification or two forms of secondary identification from the approved identification list. If the department cannot find the record, the fee is kept, and the requester will be issued a certificate of failure to find. In-person requests are usually completed at the time of payment, while mailed requests take 7 to 10 days.
Where and How to Find Limestone County Death Records
Death certificates for Limestone county are obtained from the Limestone County Department of Health or by mail from the state department of health. Death records are considered restricted records in Alabama and can only be accessed by specific authorized individuals such as:
- Parents of the person named on the certificate
- Spouse of the person named on the certificate
- Siblings or children of the person named on the certificate
- A grandchild of the person named on the certificate when demonstrating entitlement
- A legal representative of family or estate
- Informant listed on the death certificate as providing information
Requesters will be required to show identification from the approved list of identification during any request for the record. Unauthorized parties can only request the death record 25 years after the death. In-person requests can be made by coming into the county health department and providing as much of the following information:
- The full legal name of deceased
- Date of death
- County (or city) of death
- Sex
- The deceased Social security number
- Date of birth or age at death
- Race
- Name of spouse
- Names of parents
- The requester's name and signature of the requester
- The requester's relationship to the person whose certificate you are requesting
- Address where the certificate is to be mailed
- The daytime phone number for the requester
Interested parties can also make the request by filling out the death section of the mail-in vital record application form available in English or Spanish to:
Alabama Vital Records
P.O. Box 5625
Montgomery, AL 36103-5625
The completed form should be mailed with a copy of the required identification and the appropriate fees. Locating death certificates for Limestone County incurs a search fee of $15, including one certified copy of the death record. A certificate of failure to find will be issued to the requester if the death certificate is unavailable. Payment is accepted in either check or money order made payable to the State Board of Health. In-person requests are usually completed in 30-minutes after paying the fees, while mailed requests will take 7 to 10 days.
